Who Will Be at This Year’s Winter Craft Beer Fest?

Not even the line-up for Coachella is this highly anticipated. Well, not for craft beer lovers in Ontario anyway. Bust out your long-johns and toques, cause the 2019 Winter Craft Beer Fest is just around the corner! On Saturday, January 26th you get to experience the frothy creations of some of the finest Ontario craft brewers at the Roundhouse Park with friends, family and us Good Beer Folk!

If you’re like us and simply can’t wait until the 26th to wet your whistle in your retro ski gear, here’s a little teaser preview of the Ontario craft brewers that will be there—or be square. Bundle up, fellow craft beer lovers. It’s time to get a little (okay, a lot) Canadian.

Here’s some of the craft beer you can expect to enjoy.

Steam Whistle

Yours truly will be in attendance for this annual and much anticipated event. It’s not just about having a reason to drink: you get to taste your favourite pilsner made of just four natural ingredients while gallivanting about in the best park in Toronto—okay, we’re a little biased. One of Canada’s largest independent breweries, we’re proud to be part of this beer fest among other fantastic Ontario craft brewers. After all, we’re not afraid of a little competition.

Von Bugle

Von Bugle is our little sister: a newer brew made with the same founding principles of Steam Whistle: adherence to the Bavarian Purity Act, clean, natural ingredients, a universally beloved smooth taste and origins in the fair city of Toronto. In other words, you best believe we’re heeding the call of this rich, dark beauty of a craft beer! Unlike many bitter dark brews, Von Bugle’s amber elixir is crisp and refreshingly gentle, with enticing hints of malty sweetness.

Great Lakes Brewery

You’ll also find one of the oldest Ontario craft brewers at the Winter Craft Beer Fest, also known as the Great Lakes Brewery. They’ve got a solid core line-up of brews that you’re probably pretty familiar with, but also a few seasonal specialties and collaborations that set them apart. Plus, while they’re here you can quiz them on their namesake and see if they can name all five great lakes. Our guess? After a few pints, it could be tough.

Amsterdam Brewery

Toronto’s own Amsterdam Brewery will be at the Winter Craft Beer Fest, serving up some of the delicious ales, lagers and stouts that put them on the Ontario craft brewers map. With a prime location just a few minutes’ walk down Queen’s Quay, you’ll be able to visit this brewery/restaurant any time you like. With fresh brews and tasty delights, we’re thinking that will be pretty regularly.

Collingwood Brewery

As the name suggests, Collingwood brew is made in the Ontario’s stunning Collingwood area; also home to the Blue Mountains and Georgian Bay. We’re stoked to have them at our Toronto beer festival, sharing their carefully curated (and mouth-smackingly delicious) beers with us. Favourites include Downhill Pale Ale, Kingpost ESB (Extra Special Bitter) and Rockwell Pilsner, an old style pilsner with plenty of pep. They also have a solid spread of seasonal brews, so swing on by and check ’em out. Have a tipple! Say we sent ya!

Delicious Eats

For some, beer isn’t the be-all, end-all (shocking, we know), so there’s also some fantastic food vendors lined up for this event. Wash down your beer with edible delights from the popular Craft Beer Market, Sausage Party, Raty’s Meat Pies, Duke’s Refresher & Bar and Curbside Dogs. We’re talking rich fare, plenty of gourmet meat, and enough food to give the breweries a run for their money. Don’t forget to roast a marshmallow or two for an unbeatable Canadian outdoor experience. Ahh, we can practically smell the campfires already.